7.1 worth it vs. 5.1?

TN_Polk_Lover

I'm sure this question has been asked before. I tried searching through the forums to see if I could find a discussion on the subject but I couldn't.

Is the extra cost for 7.1 really worth the difference compared to 5.1? I don't have a HT setup yet, but I'm thinking about it. Just want to know if it makes sense to go ahead and plan on doing 7.1. Thanks.

Whadyasay

It probably depends more on the size of your listening space rather than the actual differences. For example, if your couch/chair is pretty close to the rear wall, then you won't really need that extra rear surround(s), as your regular surrounds will reflect off that rear wall and fill in the area. I haven't noticed a huge amount of difference with the extra ES and EX discreet material in the rear surrounds on my system, and even though I have quite a bit of space behind my listening position, for most of the movies I listen to with full mixes, regular 5.1 does fine. It's nice to have the extra surrounds in back for the DTS EX and DD ES discs, but you're really not missing a whole lot without a 7.1 system, as there aren't a whole lot of DVD's with the discreet rear surround material.

However, if you do have some space behind you, the Dolby ProLogic IIx encoding can help fill in some of that rearward space alittle more with the extra rear surrounds. It sounds good with some movies, not much better with others.

dorokusai

I LOVE 5.1.....and plan to go 6.1, but that's about it for me. My room size is more than filled at that point(13x18), as I have a modestly sized HT, anything more would just a waste of money for me.

I think the biggest encoding change to me was hearing DTS for the first time.

Frank Z

Don't listen to Doro, he's just a cheap bastage that spends all his extra cash on classic **** and Chinese food.:D

My Ht is about 12'x19' and 7.1 sounds great in it. If your seating is (or will be) against the back wall then it's a waste of money.

dorokusai

mmmmm...****.

mantis

If your building a room then at least wire for it.

Even today there isn't many titles in 6.1. I'm amazed by this fact but Dolby Digital 5.1 is the foundation of home thear listening.

I have had 7.1 and got rid of it. I found no use for it. My theater will be in 7.1 but it's a deadicated theater room.

My livingroom theater is 5.1 and will stay 5.1 unitl I move it to the basement. 5.1 performs excellent.

If you have the money and space for it then I say do it. 7.1 when a movie is recorded in it is fantastic.

Dan

Dennis Gardner

Dan is correct that even though the extended versions of the main formats have been around for 2-3 years, there just hasn't been that many movies released in those versions. Here is an updated list that I look at from time-to-time.


Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES Movie List

This list of around 250 is compared to nearly 9000 movies now out on DVD. Very few new releases are even considered for the newest formats, mostly action type genres or blockbusters.

That being said, I have a 7.1 setup in my 15X30 theater room and love it, but found that 5.1 actually worked better in the family TV room with the rears next to the couch. The guidelines that I use are if you can put your sides directly beside your seating or even slightly behind you, then 7.1 works nicely. If you have to put the sides in front of you, you won't like how the surround content that was meant to be heard behind you is now in front of you mixing with the fronts.

Just my .02,

DG

Nemesis

Dennis is right: you need to keep the extra channels BEHIND you. Otherwise it really is a waste. This is based on family friend's setting things up.

Brand warning: I've only had shopping and listening experiance with Harman Kardon.

That said, some brands have propritary software that messes around with your 5.1 Dobly or DTS signal. Excuse me let me rephrase that as "modifies and enhances".;) I know that it actually separates the sounds for the additional channels, not just pumps the same signals. I can't speak for the effectiveness but there is that option. Harman Kardon has Logic 7 and something like VMxf (some acronym like that), for instance. Both capabilities are packaged in it's latest line of analog 7.1 receievers (that's AVR 235 and higher). I don't know about the all digital DLP line.

If you still need to buy a receiver, look online. You could get a 7.1 receiver like the AVR 235 (as I did) for only a bit more dough than the AVR 135 (with s/h, $375 vs $310).

Oops the 135 is 6.1 anyway. :eek: Maybe you should look at another brand for better example.

reeltrouble1

Its a pretty inexpensive upgrade in the big picture.

7.1 kicks butt on 5.1, as Doro said the best jump is to 6.1.

Long live 2 channel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (musically speaking of course)

TN--- You will decide on your own, its what you want that really matters in the end.

RT1

Dennis Gardner

Thoughts to consider:

1. EX, ES is cool. If bragging about more channels is important, then go for 7.1. If great sound is more important, go great 5.1 sound.

2.Don't forget a great sub is way more important for movies than either format decision. Buy the most sub you can afford.

3. A relatively square room will be better suited to 5.1. This is a given if you can't make your room bigger.

4. 5-$200 speakers may sound better than 7-$130 speakers and cost the same. A higher end used 5.1 receiver or pre-pro will sound better than a cheap 7.1 receiver, due to quality of amp sections.

5. You will most likely end up with 6-7 channels on your receiver unless you go used, higher end 5.1 equipment. All brands seem to only make the newer formats, but you aren't required to use all channels.

Take your time to get what you really want, to avoid expensive ugrade paths in the near future. I find that the search for components is almost as much fun as using them. Guys love electronics!! Especially when bought at the right price!!

Enjoy the quest!

DG

reeltrouble1

Robert,

What were you thinking budget wise??

RT1